KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (CMC) — The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) Tuesday said it was “shocked and sad” at the death of veteran social activist and broadcaster, Jerry S. George, while hosting his early morning internet show, “Early in the Morning with Jerry S. George”.
George was a founding member of the regional umbrella media organisation and ACM said that “he had remained a strong supporter of the organisation”. George was also a founding member of the Searchlight newspaper here.
George, who was in his 60s, was a former public relations manager with the telecommunication company, Digicel, died of an apparent heart attack soon after introducing his first guest on the show on Tuesday, which he had dubbed “Thoughtful Tuesday”.
His guest, Jamaican-born, Grenada-based journalist, Beverley Sinclair, who is also the chief operations officer of George’s Island Media Marketing & Communications company, had been invited to co-host the programme as George had indicated to listeners that he was going to “step out of frame”.
But after speaking for nearly half an hour with no response from George, she told viewers she had no idea “where my host is; he has abandoned me.
“And I need him to come back at this point so we can share some of your comments, hear what you had to say and how you deal with people that you come across in your daily life — what kinds of experiences have you had…”
But a Facebook post on Valerie Tucker-George’s account after the scheduled close of the programme, announced, “I am still in shock, came home at about 7:20 am (local time) and met my husband, Jerry George on the floor dead.”
George was a vocal social and political commentator on issues not only in his homeland but also throughout the Caribbean and further afield. Among his last postings were the ongoing political situation in Guyana and the decision by some Caribbean governments to introduce competition in the aviation sector at the expense of the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT.
His Facebook page has been flooded with messages of condolence with some people saying they were “still in shock” at the news of his death.
He is survived by his widow and two adult children.
May I offer my sincere condolences to Jerry’s family and friends, and must add that Jerry was such a larger than life man the whole Caribbean will miss him.
My deepest sympathy
Nathan
Sorry to see him go this dear soul, he will be fondly remembered while the fight goes on for a better SVG. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRyec66Jp2c in this brief life in which we all must depart at journey’s end. He will be remembered for the hard work that he choose to do on the behalf of a suffering people yet being oppressed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOIAi2XwuWo
To quote Thomas Moore; “Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” It is for us to remember too that “There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.”
We love you Jerry, but Jesus love you best. RIP. Its a road we all must take one day.
I extend my sincere condolences to the George’s Family.
He will be greatly missed..I enjoyed his show very much and deeply respected his candour on many issues..
We have in deed lost a part of our soul with his passing.
God speed Jerry.” Bequia miss yo aready”.
We are here today and gone tomorrow. It is so sad for me to learn about the passing of Mr. Jerry George. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.
Jesus is Lord
One piece of dust came in the earth ; rose to cut a path for other dust to thread on, dusted the hearts of men and women made from dust , created other dust to carry on working and living for dust . A great man.
Love and condolence to his family and friends.
Cast your cares upon the Lord for He careth for you.